Multiple ironing machine



March 3l, 1953 J, H, EEF 2,632,965

MULTIPLE IRONING MACHINE Original Filed May 1, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet l March 31, 1953 J. H. LEEF MULTIPLE IRONING MACHINE 3 Sl'lee'cs-Sheet.` 2

Marcll; 1953 J. H. LEEF MULTIPLE IRONING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed May l, 1948 Patented Mar.v 3l, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLE IRONIN G MACHINE John H. Leef, Minneapolis, Minn.

Original application May 1, 1948, Serial No. 24,571, now Patent No. 2,556,477, dated June 12, 1951. Divided and this application February 15, 1950, Serial No. 144,341

21 Claims.

My present invention relates to improvements in ironing or pressing mechanisms of the kind .embodying a plurality of individual ironing or .provision of ironing mechanism as set forth having means for automatically operatingthe presser shoes of the ironers at predetermined intervals during their travel with respect to the operators station.

Another object of my invention isthe provision of meansfor automatically locking the shoes of the several ironers in a closed garment-ironing position whensaid ironers are out of registration with the operators station.

Another object of my invention is the provision of means for automatically locking the shoes of the several ironers in open position when said ironers are in substantial registration with the operators station.

Another object of my invention is the provision of novel mechanism for preventing accidental movements of said shoes toward or away from each other during the travel thereof with respect to the operators station.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of cam-operated means for accomplishing the above objects.

Still'another object of my invention is the provision of ironer mechanism as set forth having a cam engageable with mechanism for operating the presser shoes and in which said cam is said control means, and means for preventing accidental operation of the operating mechanism for the c ontrol means.

Another object of my'invention is the provision of ironerl mechanism having uid pressureoperated means for moving the presser shoes into and out of pressing engagement, a control valve for said uid pressure-operated means, and camoperated mechanism for operating said control valve.

Another object of my invention is the provision of cam mechanism as set forth, which is relatively inexpensive to produce, rugged in construction, and efficient and durable in use.

Other highly important objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims, and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings. wherein like vcharacters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a plan illustrating a group of ironers mounted on a turntable in accordance .with my invention and showing a preferred embodiment thereof;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in side elevation, taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a vieW corresponding to Fig. 4 but showing a diiferent position of some of the parts;

Fig. 6 is a view in plan of one of thecam elements of my invention;

Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 but illustrating a modified form of presser shoe-operating mechanism; and

Fig. 8 is a diagram of a fluid pressure system for operating the machine of Fig. 7.

Referring in greater detail to the structure of Figs. 1-6 inclusive, the numeral l indicates, in its entirety, a supporting structure in the nature of a turntable comprising an annular supporting plate 2 secured to a concentric annular hub 3 by means of a plurality of radial arms 4. The plate 2 is reinforced by concentric annular anges 5 and 6, the latter being in the nature of a structural angle iron Welded to the plate 2 at its peripheral edge portion. Depending spaced anges 'l form bearing brackets journalling Wheels 8 for rotation upon an endless circular track 9.

Mounted fast on the annular supporting plate 2 is a plurality of circumferentially-spaced pressing or ironing devices Ill, each having a relatively stationary pressing shoe Il and a relatively movable pressing shoe I2. The xed elements I I are mounted on circumferentially-spaced pedestal-like bases I3. Each shoe I2 is provided with arms |4, rigidly secured thereto, projecting radially inwardly of the turntable and Pivotedat at I1. The lower end of the link l lis-provided r with a roller not shown but which isadapted to ride in a cam slot I8 in a vertical"`5racket I9 rigidly secured to the annular plateZ. Also pivotally secured to the lower 'fendofl-the link "I6 is the outer end of a piston rodor*-plungery'20, which is equipped with a piston not shown-*but contained within a iiuid pressure-operated,cylinder 2I hingedly secured, as indicated at 22, to Athe frame base or pedestal I3. yAI second iiuid pressure-operated cylinder' 2 3 'isfpivta'lly l tired to' thefba'se` frame. I3, as' :indicated "ati 24,` -:anfdfis JK'provided with apiston-"edipped Lplunger'l Qrod 2,5 which has pivotal engagement'withfthe'jarm"I4 """t'er'rediate its"pivotl5 aridlitsinner'end', as in cated at 26. 'Tlerriovable shoefIZ 'isfbiased "away" fromNerigageirent with the relatively `ixed shoe II by means of a coil "tension'spring' `21 Aanchred 'fat one endfto the turntable LVandjat its 1ink Y, j ,'f "ironing machines of thisA character* are` gener- 'ally constructed "to`prfovide"'apadded zironiengsh'oe 'anda metallic facedhe'ated 'ironing shoetn this case, the stationary shoe I I is padded andpijefer- 4ably providedkv with" :a"clothcover while thefrelatively"movable'"'shoe AI2 is"hollow"and is yheated by suitable-means suclrasjlive'steam -For introducing rthe heating medium to-theehollowf-movlfendof-which is rotatablyA connected tov the 'upper portion `of asteam-manifold-29rthroughla packing gland `or4 the like 30u Thel'u'ppe'rY or -input 5 portion I of the manifold -2 9- is` dividedfirom the lower orexhaust portion 32th'ereof. l'Avlpl-u'ra'lity of inlet tubes 33 leadA one each from the-input *chamber '3| of the-manifold- 29to-'ori'e of the-movable shoes I2. The shoes l2fare-`aehprovided lwithdrain-pipes orI tubes 34 that rare'connected It0 'the "lower vexhaus'tportion3210i the :manifold 29. The inlet tubes 33 and thevdra'ingtubvesf34, -i-being flexible in* part, do inot' interfere withthe freedom of movement ofthe relatively-*movable Vjshoes I2. condensate fromthefshoes I`2ipasses through the tubes 34 into the exhaust-chamber 32 fromvwhence vitis removedvth'roughi-avdrain pipe 35 connected to the manifold 29 by a packing gland S36 andla fitting 31. The packing gland connections v30 and 36 permit rotation of the manifold Ziwhile` the inletpipe 2li-and the drain 35 remain in a stationary condition.

Fluid under pressure is supplied to :the several Vironers for moving the relatively movable shoes 'I2 from a source of fluid supply not shown through 'ai pipe' 38 which extends upwardly through the fitting 31, the packing gland 35,'and

fthe manifoldA exhaust chamber 32by means of a lsuitable joint or 'slip connection 39. Thepipe 38 extends radially outwardly 'of the manifold 29 and branches oi to the several ironers-on the 4 by a T fitting 45 and that the valve 42 has a port 46 open to atmosphere.

Continuous and uninterrupted rotary movement at a relatively slow speed is imparted to the turntable I by a motor 41 which drives a shaft46 throughrconnections, not shown but contained within a'gear 156x349.- Ai sprocket wheel 50 Yis secured fast to the :shaft 48 1and""positively drives a link chain 5I which extends about and is `carried Within a channel 52 formed by the outer -fperipheraliportion of annular plate 2 and the flange 6. v'I he chain 5I is maintained in fric- `tionalfdriving contact with the flange 6 by an idler-.pulley 53 journaled to one arm of a bellcrank 54 that is pivoted to a stationary quad- 1 rant 5 5. Pin fandsocket connections 56 of a con- 'l `fventiona'l designare utilized to maintain the idler 53 in a position to tighten the link chain 5I.

` Obviously, moving the bell-crank 54 in a counterclockwise direction with respect to Fig. l will *one sideof an operatorfs'station f-forau'tomatically and successively 4in'ar'ipulatin'g the v*control valve 42 `operatively vasseciate'd with-each ironer I6 upon'rotation-ofthe? turntable f I f This control valveoper-a'ting or tripping means #is vin 'the nalture Aofla relativel'ystationary cam V'51 'felongated in the general directionf thetrackv 9.?'T'he1cam 51 lies in the path of travel ofapluralityffpairs of trip membersin the"natureoficamfollowers, one 'pair thereof associated' with 1 each-"ironer I Il.

` One of the' 'caml followers `=is Vin the 1rnature of "a roller 58 and isrjournalledfatione'end'of"a bellcrank 59 pivoted at its -intermediate.portion to a lever 60,-;as indicatedlat 6I. lTh'e"lev`er 60 is mounted intermediate itsfendspas indicated at 62, forfswinging movements in--a verticalplane,

to a bracket63dependingffrom theiannular plate 2. A second cam follower orroller 64 V`is jour- -nalled to oneend of the lever' 'and-the pivot `connection 6I betweenthe bell-crank 59 and lthe lever 60 is located intermediate thecam vfollower 64 and thevApivotal-connection 62 of the lever 60 Ito the bracket63. fAt its forward-end,the-lever 60 is pivotally gconnectedto a rigid link` 65which extends upwardlyl-throug'h-a suitableopening in -trol valve 42.

the annular plate 2 and `isfpivotally connected at its upper end toa crank arm 66 ,rigid-ly secured to, a rotaryl plug orvalve member A6 1 in `the con- The cam-followers 58 and 64 are V'movable by -engagementwith-the camf51. from inoperative positions, :as indicated hin Fig. 4, to

operative positions, as shown bygfull lines in Fig. i5.- It willbe-notedthat -thecamiollowers 5 8 and 64 are k spaced apart adistance less Athan the v length of cam 51, soth'at during rotation ofthe Yturntable I, both `camlfoll'owers are at a'gi'ven time coincidentally ini-their operative positions. The-end ofi` the bell-crankv 59 opposite the cam VAfollower 56 is notched, Vas'indicat'ed-atti?, Wherei by'tohave latching engagementfwthalug 69 on the bracket 63 ywhenmthe cam-'followers 58 and 64 are in their inoperative positions.l Raising of the cam follower l'58 causesthe'hotched ed'68 of thelbell-crank 59 tomove awayfrom thelug 69 to permit raising of thecaln follow''r6'4, asoindicated in.Fig s. 4 and 5. 'I'he camffollower or roller 64 :cannot'beelvated `from"itsp`osition of Fig.lfunles's thecamfollower 58'is in anv elevated position because of the engagement of the notched portion of the bell-crank 59 with the lug 69 when the follower 58 is in its lower position. Hence, if any foreign material, such as a block of wood'or the like, happens to be inadvertently placed under the turntable in the path of travel of the cam followers 58 and 64, the first cam follower 58 may be elevated thereby and thereafter permitted to drop to its lower bell-crank latched position before the second cam follower 64 is engaged by said foreign material. Thus, when the follower 64 comes into contact with the foreign material, the lever 68 is held against upward movement by engagement of the notch 68 with the lug 59, and the foreign material will be pushed out of the way by lthe follower 64, or the resistance set up by the foreign material will be sufficient to stop rotation of the turntable I. In any event, `with this arrangement, the mechanism cannot be operated to cause the movable shoe I2 to be moved in a predetermined direction with respect to the stationary shoe I I unless both ofthe followers 58 and -84 are in their elevated operative positions imparted thereto by engagement with the cam 51.

The above described cam-operated mechanism operates the control valve 42 to cause the several ironers i8 to be successively opened when approaching the operators station I provide means for successively closing the several ironers I0 upon departure thereof from the operators station, said means being in the nature of a relatively stationary cam 18 circumferentiallyspaced from `the cam 51 sufficiently to be located at the opposite side of the operators station The cam 'FII is Valso in spaced relationship to the cam 51 in a direction radially of the turntable I and lies in the path of travel of a plurality of pairs of cam followers and valve-operating mechanism associated with the several `ironers I8, in the same manner as the above described cam followers and control Valve-operating linkage. The pairs of cam followers adapted to engage the cam 10 each comprise a first cam follower 1I and a second cam follower 12 spaced therefrom in the direction of vtravel thereof. The cam follower orroller 1 I is journaled to one end of a bell-crank 13 which is pivotally secured at its intermediate portion to a lever 14, as indicated at 15. The lever 14 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends as at 16 to a depending bracket 11 on the turntable I. Each cam follower 12 is journaled to one end of its cooperating lever 14 outwardly of the pivotal connection "I5, said pivotal connection 15 being intermediate the roller 12 and the pivotallconnection 16 of the lever 14 to its cooperating bracket 11. The free end of the bellcrank 13 is notched, as indicated at 18, to engage a stop lug 'I9 on the bracket 11. This arrangement is identical to the construction of the bellcrank 59 with its notch 68 and the notch-engaged lug 68 on the bracket 63 of each ironer. At its opposite end, the lever 14 is pivotally connected to the lower end of a rigid link 88 which projects upwardly through the annular plate 2 and has its upper end pivotally secured to a crank arm SI at the opposite end of the valve member 61 and extending in a direction diametrically opposite to the crank arm 66 thereof. It will be noted that as each pair of cam followers 1I and 12 are moved to their operative positions by the cam 10, the rigid link connections therebetween and their cooperating valve 42 and between the valve 42 and the cam followers 58 and 64 associated therewith, cause said cam followers 58 and 64 to' be moved to their inoperative positions, as indicated in Fig. .4. Conversely, movement of the cam'followers 58 and 64, of each pair, infi-n parted thereto by the cam 51 from their inoperative to their operative position, causes corresponding movement of the cam followers 1I and 12 from their operative to their inoperative positions. It will be noted that cam-imparted movement of the cam followers 1I and 12 from their inoperative to their operative positions moves the valve member 61 to a position, permitl ting now of fluid under pressure from the con-` duit 4I to the valve 42, through the conduits 43 and 44 to their respective cylinders 2I and 23, whereby to close the press I0 associated therewith. On the other hand, movement of the cam followers 58 and 84, associated with each ironer I8, imparted thereto by the cam 51, causes the valve member 81 associated therewith to be Vmoved to a position whereby the supply of uid of the plunger rods 28 and 25 and opening of the press under bias of the spring 21. Y

The cam 18 is shiftable in a direction radially of the turntable I into and out of the path` of` travel of the several pairs of cam followers 1I and 12. The cam 10 is mounted in a pair of spaced guides 82 which are suitably securedy to Y the floor. The cam 10 is further provided with a radially inwardly extending arm 83, `to, theinner end of which is pivotally secured one end of l a lever 84 which is pivotally mounted intermedi- 1 ate its ends to the floor, as indicated at 85. The

opposite end of the lever`84 is pivotally securedY to one end of a shifter handle 86 which extends generally radially outwardly beyond the periphery of the turntable I where it may be grasped by the operator. Suitable means, such as a pin 81, may be inserted into either one of a pair of` spaced apertures 88 in the floor radially outwardly of the turntable I. By reference to Fig. 6, it will be noted that but one of the apertures 88 is shown, the other being assumed to underlie the pin 81. The full lines of Fig. 6 illustrate the cam track in position to engage the several pairs of cam followers 1I and 12, whereas the dotted lines indicate the position assumed by the cam 18 when it is moved to its inoperative position radially outwardly of the path of travel oi. the said cam followers 1I and 12.

In operation, as the turntable I rotates vabout t its axis, the several ironers I0 mounted thereon are successively moved to their open position as a result of movement of the several pairs of cam followers 58 and 64 imparted thereto by the cam 51, from their inoperative to their operative positions, and consequent operation of control valve 42. As each ironer I0 passes the operators station the operator places a garment to be ironed upon the relatively stationary shoe II. As each ironer I0 leaves the operators station the cam 10 engages the cam followers 1I and 12, moving the same from their inoperative to their operative positions, consequent operation of the valve 42 thereby causing the ironers I0 to be successively closed to pressing engagement with the material to be ironed. Speed of continuous and uninterrupted rotation of the turntable I is such that one revolution thereof is sufficient to complete an ironing operation. Hence, as each ironer having a garment between the ironing shoes thereof approaches the operators station the said ironer will be caused to open to permit shifting of the garment thereon for ironing a' different portion of the garment orfoiremovalf-iithegarment from'rfahe ironerff andthe ipla'c'ingzef a different garment-tox-be-- irom'fdY thereupomuiafterawhich;.thegironer vwill again .'he'c'losed fand the ironingfcycle': repeated: a

ooperating '.gheated fmovable 'i shoes` I2. s fsaccomplishedcbyi merelyf.manipulating.;

theshandle 86 :Ito-move theicamIIi "from its'fullfz. linepositionrof Figi/"2 to"itsrfradially 'outward-:1' dottedl linie t position "thereof :out: ofV 'the path .of

travelof the several'zpairs.: 'of .cam :followers 'I I 5 andTZLfiTliemfaseachrironer fidapproaches the operators"stati'onwit1is-caused to open'by err- 1 gagement ofitseami'ifollowers 'and 64 with'. thefcam'SI-.thefshoes remainingopen'thereafter.:

Ozie-ifcomplete revolution 'of the' turntable I is In the modied arrangement shown" in Figs.

'7 vandv 8,- thelturntab'le,garment'ironeig fluid pressuref-'operated means yfor'opening and closing` thef garment ironers,` k#and means forsupplyingV steam-lto the? 'ironerss and f iiuidv under Vpressure I toithe =cp'eratingY zmeans 1 therefor, are identical to fthcorresponding' portions illustrated in Figs; 1 topihclu'sive', as `a-refthe'ieam followers thereof,

andi' carrythe'samefnumbers with' prime marks r Y added: II1"" the modied arrangement, howeverythe` A'branchF'conne'ction 4I extends Vto a controller reversing valve 89S? From thence, con- M23-respectively;1' 'The valve89 'has a port open to Yatn'lospme through-'a short conduit Scand a pressure-operatedl reversing motor comprisingv axially aligned fluid pressuremcylinders 92 land 93-provided'With'pistonsand having a common pistonrod 94.-" A collar 95 -fast on the piston rodMM-hastpin and slot'connection 96 with an arm'91 vvhich is connected to andprojectsradiallyputwardly from a rotaryva'lve'member 99Y inthe valve'39.Th'rotary'member 98 is cham.-`- bered `to'pern'litiluid under pressure to enter th'ecyiinders'2 I'." and 23'.. in one position "thereof,

and' in anotherposition.thereof,;;to allowY fluid toescape from the.eyli nders"2I and 23 to at:

mosphere1:hr'ough theconduit` 90' and 'themufer 9 IT" Fluid under pressure is suppiied'to the 4cylinders"92*and 93from'theiconduit4 I "by'a branch conduitSS 'whichlea'ds to a pair. of 'pilot' valvesz;

fromtthefpilot'valves 100 'and` IBI "to 'respective cylinders 92 and' 93.-"The pilot valvesr Iz'and IUI :are 'of the 'well knowntype -having opposed.. l

valve seatsand valve elementstherefon'the valve '60,I elements' each carried .by 'a reciprocal stern' IMT yieldingly'biase'd'in one'direction by`av spring' III5`; seetparticularlyFi`g;;`8. The"`pilot,.valves ares. further provided with" exhaust passages IGS lead?.

ing. toy atmosphere. Movementof .thelsteni 104."

941`from;the' left, Lto theA right,with '.respect.. to

Figi L8. .wi11..`rotate.-the.. member ..9 Bfof the valve. 89 tofa position .to `permitgiiuid .to escape@ from the. cylinders A..2 I.l and 23- to atmosphere.H throughthemuierl. 9. I Simultaneous movement.-.

ofrthjpistons carriecLby the...cylindersLanci..75.4

93 fromtheieft -to ...thei rig-ht with :respect :to Figff8, causesgluid .contained withinV the. .cylinder .1. f

mosphererthrough the-.exhaust passage |06 in therpilot valve-.Ifhf-Similarly, movement.A of the stem'rfl04-ofrtheepi1ot"valve'IOI against bias .of the s-springr;.;I05-will .allow fluid 'underfpressure to'iiowfthroughthe conduit 99, valve I0I.A and conduit? I03-.--into".,the :cylinder 93; Wherebygto mover thepiston-:equippedmod 94 andV collar p95. from-theright ,tottherlefml rwith.: respect to' Fig. thereby f-'causing'- rotation-fof t'the .member 98 :to allowpassageof'luid'undervpressure to the cyl.-

Consequent outward movement; ofL the ypistonurods 20 andA .25 moves the arm" I4"'"a'nd.' `shoe :I 2 .'f. .toward :pressing engage-H ASfS .1.1' the :caset'of thestru'cturexshowrrfin Figsrgl to 6, initialclosingmovement oftheshoe I2 is caused: V:rbyioutwa'rd 'movement' .offthe1piston rod 25' 'and'l nalpressing'actionis eiected by outwardmove ment ofthe piston rod.:20 during the .iinal'move- This@ iinal locking pressure between.the"shoes .II andv ment with'ztherelatively :tixednshoel I I mentgofV .the shoe :1.2"lv toward theshoe .I I

I2 is madeefective by `engagementzof theroller,

not shown; but at the pivotalconnection between ff.; the :link IIi'-4 fand* .the :piston ,1 rodi 2 Il', with the extreme'upperendof the-camislotil. .f Genen-'f 'A a11y,"-in'machines of this'type,:thereciprocal valve stems@ I'IIII; are: vmoved by ,.'button-equippedggpush rods a III'I', one" of vwhich: is .shownpivotaliy .con-V Y neeted'fto the outerV .ends of vbellecranrks: IUB that.. L' are pivotedsto V4theibase AI3'r,"'as indicated at '.'I B9. Foi'roperatingffthe '.pil'otz'valvesl and IUI, I

provide rigid links `I I0 andi I Iv` Whichare piv.-` i

otal'ly securedoneeach. at'their upper .ends to oneof the bell-'cranks Ill8""and `at their lower endsutorl one Leach-of .a pairv of 'bell-cranks II2 and IIS, respectively. Theoppositefend'of'rthe v: bell-crank I I2 is'pivotally'secured'ftoffthe upper end'of the rigid 1ink65", Whereas the opposite ende'f fthefbell-c'rank l I3 *isv pivotally'secured` r to the uppervendofthe rigid link B. As shown,"

the bell-cranks II2 "andi I3 are pivoted'at their tt intermediate portions to brackets H4 secured to "'thibase or mounting'structure-II-I". Thecamf 10fis movable radially outofthe path of travelV i of'the camfffollovversfli and 'I2whereby to"- renderI said lcamfollowers-.inoperative'to clos'e I Operationzof the r-irorier of Figs. 'I and`8 is f ceptthat'the' control valve 89 "for thecylin'dersv4 2 I fand* 23 is operated-byfluidfpressureeoperated f :cylinders SI2-'and 93; as-compared to direct'opera: tion'byrigidlinks 'iandf'i, -as inthe case "of' t the structure of Figs; 1 to-G, inclusive. This arrangement and operation is 'fully :disclosed in Inv-pending Yappiication above identified.

Figs, and 8 in itselffis old in lthe art.: However,` I haveefoundthat-by'mounting ironersof this typeonwthe "turntable, as shovvn'y and automatically vcontrolling themovements .of the movahlefshees'with'4 respect: to the; relatively; xed shoes-thereofflhavebeen able tofeffe'ct a great saving in .timevandiabor in ironing of various garments on production, scale.

While I have shown anddescribeda commer- It is vunderstcod Mthat the ironer disclosedinv ment of..`1`nyY novel,-'garment. ironer,. it will. be .v

understood thatthe sameiscapable of -further modic'ationwithout departure vfromthe. spirit and scopepf :the-.invention as defined in the claiins......v

What I claim is: 1. In an ironing machine of the class described,

\ an endless track, a supporting structure mounted and guided for traveling movements about said `endless track, driving mechanism for imparting movements to said supporting structure about said track, a normally open garment ironer i mounted on said supporting structure and comprising cooperating pressing shoes mounted for relative movement between a normally open position and a closed position, a relatively stai tionary cam mounted adjacent said track and elongated generally in the direction thereof, first and second cam followers carried by the supportlng structure for cam-imparted movements with respect thereto from normal inoperative positions i to operative positions, said cam followers `being spaced apart in the direction of travel of the supporting structure a distance less than the length of the cam and being located to-be successively intercepted and moved by the cam from inoperative to operative positions, and ironer shoeoperating mechanism mounted on the supporting structure, said operating mechanism comprising i said cam followers and being responsive to coincidental `cam-imparted movements of the cam followers from inoperative to operative positions,

,but toneither thereof singularly, to close the ironer."A

2. In a device of the class described, an endl less track, a garment ironer'movably mounted on said track, mechanism for imparting continuous and uninterrupted movement to said ironer about shoe `with relation to its cooperating fixed shoe,

an elongated relatively fixed cam element mount- .ed adjacent the track and in the path of travel of said rst cam follower for engagement by and movement of the rst cam follower, a second cam follower operatively associated with the :first cam lying in the path of travel of said cam followers whereby to successively intercept and move said cam followers from inoperative to operative positions, said cam followers being spaced apart in the direction of travel of said supporting structure a distance less than the length of the cam, and ironer shoe operating mechanism for moving the movable shoe in one direction with respect to said stationary shoe and including said cam followers, said operating mechanism being responsive to coincidental cam-imparted movements of the cam followers from inoperative to operative positions, but to neither thereof singularly, to move said movable shoe. in one direction.

4. In an ironing machine of the class described, an endless circular track, a turntable rotatably mounted on said track, mechanism for imparting continuous and uninterrupted movement of said turntable lon lsaid track, a plurality of normally open garment ironers mounted on said turntable in circumferentially spaced relationship, each of said garment ironers comprising cooperating pressing shoes mounted for relative movement between a normally open position and a closed position, a relatively stationaryV cam mounted adjacentv said track and elongated generally in the direction thereof, `first and second lcam follower and mounted for cooperation with t said cam element and also mounted for movements with the ironer about the track being located in forwardly-spaced relation to the first cam follower a distance less than the length of the elongated cam element, and mechanism underl control'of the second cam follower and extending tothe mechanism under control' of the first cam follower for renderin-g the latter 'inoperative to cause movement of the movable shoe when the first cam follower is disengaged from the cam.

3; In an ironing machine of the class described,

/an endless circular track, a supporting structure mounted and guided for traveling move- 'ments about said track, a driving mechanism for imparting continuous and uninterrupted movements to said supporting structure about said track,a garment ironer mounted on said l supporting structure, `said garment ironer comyto operative positions, a relatively stationary cam mounted adjacent said track and elongated gen- `r`erally in the direction thereof, said stationary cam followers operatively associated with each of said ironers and carried by said turntablefor cam-imparted movements with respect thereto from normal inoperative positions to operative positions, the cam followers associated with each of said ironers being spaced apartin the direction of rotary Lmovement of the turntable a distance less than the length of the cam and being located to be successively intercepted and moved by the cam from inoperative to operative positions, and ironer shoe-operating mechanisms mounted on each of said ironers, said operating mechanisms each comprising one each of said first and second cam followers and being responsive to coincidental cam-impartedmovements of the cam followers from inoperative to operative positions, but to neither thereof singularly, to successively close each of said ironers.

5. In an ironing machine of the class described, an endless circular track, a supporting structure mounted and guided for traveling movements about said track, a driving mechanism for imparting continuous and uninterrupted movement to said supporting structure about said track, a garment ironer mounted on said supporting structure, said garment ironer comprising a fixed `shoe and a cooperating shoe movable between an open and closed position relative thereto, spaced pairs of cam followers carried bythe supporting structure for movements with respect thereto from normal inoperative positions to operative positions, a pair of relatively stationary cams mounted adjacent said track and spaced apart in the direction thereof, said cams being elongated generally in the direction of said track and laterally oifset from each other, each thereof lying in the path of travel of a different pair of said cam followers whereby to intercept and move said cam followers from inoperative to operative positions, the cam followers of each pair being spaced apart in the direction of travel of said supporting structure a distance less rthan the length of its cooperating cam, `and ironer shoe-operating mechanism including said pairs of cam followers, said operating mechanism being `responsive to coincidental cam-imparted move- ."'vfronrwmoperative' to operative='-psitionsl, but to Ww'neither -thereof"singularly;` to move "said movable hoe inon'e direction; said" operating-mechanism 'being responsive `toV 1coincidentallcam-imparted i movements of both ycam-'followers ofthef'other of said'pair's frominoperative toopera-tive positions, but-to Aneither thereof singularly, ton move isaid movableshoe in the opposite direction.

"4 6i The stri'icture'deflried=i1rclaim-1I in"'which rf-said ironer shoe-gope'rating` 'mechanism' further includes lever"carryingfsaidsecondA cani'fol- "f :"lowerfanrarm' carrying said first follower; said arm being``'pivotally*mountedon` said devon-'and mi latch meansiassocial'ied"v with said arm' and `operative to lock .said lever against movement/fto-lV Miward'a cam; lfolloweroperative position.

"ff 'Iii- 'Ihestructure 'defined ineclaim '1: iniwliich said.ironerzrshoeroperating mechanism' further 1 includes a" 'lever4 carrying i said second camfollower atzcn'e ofits='ends a'ndpivo'tally :mounted intermediate-its ends to said'frame'structure;iand adoellcrankcarrying saidrstcam 'follower at ,ifoneofits'e'nds and `having its intermediate -porionL pivotallyl mounted to said lever' intermediate thepivo'tal vconnection:thereof to said frame and said-'secondcain' follower, the'opposite end of said *#*bellmrank 'having latching" engagement Iwith a portion"V "of'saidf supporting "struoture when "said vf carolloweryare their' "inoperativepositions andf'movable put of said flatching' engagement 'ftherewithf uponx movement orsadv rst vcarl-i folower itoitsfoperativef'position byisaid `rel`atively -f='""`stationary"cam.

8fThefstructurdenedin Vclaim 4 inwhich M4'-sai'cl"ironer' shoe operating-*mechanism furtherl includes a'lever carrying said second vcam fol- 'loweryan armv carrying said `first 4car'n follower, -ls`aid"arm"being` pivotally mounted'- on's'aid lever, "Ya'n'dvlatch meansassociated-iwith said arm'fand "operative" to" lock` "said-"levenl against movement "f-toward a `caniu 'follower operative position.

i gii'hestructurdefined in vclainl'lY i'nfurther combination with means Y'mounting' said relal. tively'stationary cair for shifting movementsinto and''out"of cam-'engaging' relationship with'said cam followers; and 'means fo'r s'hifting's'aid cam.

Inv an-ironer-oftheclassdescribed; an end- M-less" circular track, `a Aturntable rotatably 'mount- "sied on said vtrack; mechanism forimparting-"con- "`tinuous. and uninterruptedmovement to4-` said 'turntablevon'sai'drtracl ya* plurality ofV garment ironers mounted in'ciroufnterentiallyspaced-=re lationshipron said turntable,"eachz ofifsaidfrgarment-ironers 'comprising a "stationaryshoeff' and closed`positions;':'anoperators "stationiadjacent sail-,t5 track -f.'xrfappliczations"orv garments" tossaid ironersancr ren'roval offf'garmentsivthiefrom, a `y`paifof`lv relatively*stationaryfcams mountedffadjacent" saidtrack with-fone thereof" at' each-i side of? said operators'"fstation;fsaidf';camsbeing in ad'ally-spacedYy relationship land velongated-genorally inthe/"direction off' said-tracka'firstpair ot"- cam 'followers :operatively fassociated"with each "i 'osai'duroners and mounted'on'said turntable 7E*forengagement withone of said stationary'cams toE befmo'ved:successively-thereby from inopera- 1tive positions to j Aoperative posit-ions; a- :second "f pair 'of c'ar'followers operatively associated "with each of `Asaid'ironers landmountedfon* said' turntablefor engagementlwith the other of Asaid`-sta tionary 'cams to -be moved successivelythereby 'f-from inoperative 'positions to; operative positions, 'the 'camfollowers of`s`aid"rst 'and' secondpair @associated iwith each'v of ASaidirOne'rsiloeingfspaced acpoperating* shoer':movable'betweenmoperrrand;

apart in thedirection ofrotaryf^movement of the-turntable a distance-less thanltheflength of l 3"the respective scams; "engagable therewith: land "ironer shoe operating kmechanism-1associated 'with --each of said ironers and' including-the associated `pairs' of cam followers; each'of saidv operating vvmechanisms being lresponsiveonl'y tocoincidental -f cam-imparted movements of 4-both' cam followers sof" one of said"pairs"frornf-inoperative tofoperalo tive positions to move?y their 1associated f movable `vslice in one directiongfsaid'operating-mechanism vbeing 'responsive only tof-coincidental:` cam-impartedimOVementsvl offboth'zcamf' followers v`ofv .the 1 other' of f saidfpairs; -fromffinoperativectc operative positions lto :move'f'theirfassociatedrshoe,v in

the opposite? direction.'

1L 11; ,The 'structuredened inclai'rn 'inurther 'i #.icombination 'withl means; mounting'pne; of `said @relatively 'stationary cams' for?l 'Isl-lifting: movev mentsl 'into and'` out" of the 'pathof travel of-- its 'i 'rfcooperating pair'of cami'followers;anctmanuallyoperated -meansfforf shiftingrsaidz camforr'zsaid '-'mounting means.

IZLThestructure'dei-lned in claim 10 inzfurther combination with means mounting one ofsaid relatively `stationaryY` cam/s for'. 'shifting move- 1f ments' radially' ofV said ,track'iinto and out. of fcamfengaging relationship withrits-'cooperating'rcam followers, and manually-operated means .frfor shifting vsaid icamonzsaidmountingmeans.

I 13.1""Inl an' ironing machine: of the fclassffde- Yscribed;- an"endless track, yaY supporting 'structure m'ountedy and "gui'ded-vforrt traveling: movements about* said endless track; driving: mechanismfor imparting movement 'to-said supporting'structure aboutY saidl track, 'anormally opemgarment ironer mounted on saidfsupportingstructurefand `com- 1 @rising-'cooperating pressing.shoesmmountedrfor "'relativemovem'ent between anorm'ally 'openposi- LU-tieni and a closed; position', a ,relativelytatiom ^ary cam :monntedf adjacentzsaidtrack. and :elonffffgated generally inftherdirectiohfthereof: .firstiand 'ffsecond*carnifollowersacarriedc by thasupporting s. structure ,fon lcam-impartedinrrorvements` 'with'. `re- 52 spect fthereto'fifrom normal: inoperative =positions 't torzoperativef positions, said foam' followersY 'being mrspaceolfapart,iirthe direction-."oftravel ofxthe 'lsupporting'structure',l a `distancenf-fless ,:than'zithe length of fthe'fcamI and :Ybeings-located*,toi` be suc- '1- cessivelyintercepted andm'oved bythe camfrom i iii inoperativo to:l foperative -positions; ironertshoe- .1 ,'operating.;means amounted* :on 'daher supporting structure:,:controlismeansz forfrsaid.: operating sans, :anch-operating menhanisrmfforfsaidscon- 551: trol imeansisaidoperating mechanismrcompris- ':;;-ingisaid'.camifullowersandebeingrespcinsive to oincidental lcamf-imparted'ffmoizementsofzithe va-camfollovvers*ffrorrrzinoperative:toi-operativepositions, but to neither thereof singularlyptofcanse saidironersrtobe zclose'dby said -operating means.

:1i l4`rgzln'an" ironing: 'machine' of the riclasszfde- :'-scribed'anendless'rcircularltrack; afsupporting `-fstructure mounted .andzt` guided` fori travelling movements about sai'dftrack;`v` drivingmechanism 1for '.imparting 'continuous and4 uninterrupted `limovement to saidhsupportingcstructure' about said f' track, argarment'iironerfmounted on said'sup- Iporting structure,l said garmentsrironery comprisf ingV a YVxed l,shoe and a 'cooperating-shoe' movable between an 'open' and clos'edpositionrelative thereto,v lrst andA second camfollowers icarried 'by the supportingfstructuref'movements ""with respectl thereto4 lfrom normalinoperative Ipositions to operativepo'sitions, a 4'relatively 'stav tionarycam mounted ad-j acent EsaidTr track and aeaaccs elongatedl generally in the direction thereof, said stationary cam; lying in the path of travel of ysaid cam followers whereby to successively interj vcept and move said cam followers from inoperative tooperative positionssaid cam followers ,being spaced apart in the direction of travel of said supporting structure a distance less than movementsof the cam followers frominoperative K @to operative positions, but `toV neither thereof 'snlgularlyfto causesaid movable shoe to be moved in one direction by said operating means.

15,.` In anironing machine of the class described, anendless circular track, a supporting structure mounted and guided for travelling Vmovementsabout said track, driving mechanism for Vimparting continuous and uninterrupted,

movement to said supporting structure about said track, agarment ironer mounted on said sup- Aporting structure, said garment ironer comprising a fixed shoe and a cooperating shoe movable between `an open and closed position relative tionary cams mounted adjacent said track and spaced apart in the direction thereof, said cams y being elongatedgenerally in the direction of said track and laterally offset from each other, each thereof lying in the path of travel of a` different Vpair of said cam followers whereby to intercept and move said cam followers from inoperative to operative positions, the cam followers of each A pair being spaced apart in the direction of travel of said supporting structure a distance less than the length of its cooperating cam, ironer shoeoperating means mounted on the supporting structure, control means for said ironer shoeoperating' means, and operating mechanism for said control means and including said pairs of cam followers, said operating mechanism being responsive to coincidental cam-imparted movements of both cam followers of one of said pairs from inoperative to operative positions, but to neither thereof singularly, to cause said movable shoe to be moved in one direction by said operating means, said operating mechanismxbeing responsive to coincidental cam-imparted movements of both cam followers of the other of said pairs from inoperative to operative positions, but to neither thereof singularly, to cause said movable shoe to be moved in the opposite direction by said operating means. 16. In an ironing machine of the class de scribed, an endless track, a supporting structure mounted and guided for travelling movements about said endless track, driving mechanism for imparting movement to said supporting structure about said track, a normally open garment ironer mounted on said supporting structure and comprising cooperating pressing shoes mounted for relative movement between a normally open position and a closed position, a relatively stationary cam mounted adjacent said track and elongated generally in the direction thereof, first and second cam followers carried by the supporting structure for cam-imparted movements fi 14 with respect thereto from normal inoperative positions-to` operative positions, said cam `followers being spaced apart in the direction of travel of the supporting structure a distance less than the length of the cam andy being located to be successively intercepted and moved by the cam from inoperative to Aoperative positions, fluid pressure-operated means mounted on the supporting structure for closing said ironer, a. control valve for said fluid pressure-operated means, and operating mechanism for said control valve, said operating mechanism comprising said cam followers and beingresponsive to coincidental cam-imparted y movements' of the cam followers from inoperative positions, butto neither thereof singularly,` to cause said fluid pressure-operated means toV close said ironer.

17. In an ironing machine of the class de- "scribed, 'an endless circular track, a supporting structure mounted v'and guided for travelling movements about said track, driving mechanism for imparting continuous and uninterrupted movement to said supporting structure about said track, a garment ironer mounted on said supporting structure, said` garment ironer cmoprising a fixed shoe and a cooperating shoe movable between an open and closed position relative thereto, spaced pairs of cam followersfc'arried by the supporting structure for movements with respect thereto from normal inoperative positions to operative positions, a pair of relatively stationary cams mounted adjacent said track and spaced apart `in the direction thereof, said cams being elongated generally in the direction of said track and laterally offsetfrom each other, each thereof lying in the path of travel of a different pair of said cam followers whereby to intercept and move said cam followers from inoperative to operative positions, the cam followers of each pair being spaced apart in the direction of travel of said supporting structure a distance less than the length of its cooperating cam, fluid pressure-operated means mounted on said supporting structure for moving said movable shoe to and away from pressing engagement with said relatively fixed shoe, a control valve for said fiuid pressure-operated means, and operating mechanism for said control valve, said operating mechanism including said pairs of cam followers and being responsive to coincidental cam-imparted movements of both cam followers of one of said pairs, but to neither thereof singularly, to cause said fluid pressureoperated means to move said relatively movable shoe into pressing engagement with said relatively flxed shoe, said valve-operating mechanism being further responsive to coincidental camimparted movements of both cam followers of the other of said pairs, but to neither thereto singularly, to cause said fluid pressure-operated means to move said relatively fixed shoe away from pressing engagement with said relatively fixed shoe.

18. The structure defined in claim 16 in further combination with means mounting said relatively stationary cam for shifting movements into and out of cam-engaging relationship with said cam followers, and means for shifting said cam.

19. The structure defined in claim 16 in which said control valve operating mechanism further includes a lever carrying said second cam follower at one of its ends and pivotally mounted intermediate its ends to said supporting structure, a bellcrank-carrying said first cam follower at one of its ends and having its intermediate s, rengagement :therewith uponmovement ofgsaid arse-cam follewertositsfoperative. position, by .said,frelatively-stationary-.cam and a rigid link connecting thegopposite .endA of .said level'I to .said :control valve. n Y

a. 20.. In2 an.` ironing.Y machineA of. the. class.. decribediaanlendlessezcirculartrack, a supportimovements; about said-track driy-ingfmechanism .foreimpartingfnsontinuous.v anda uninterrupted smovementtdsaidSupportingstructure-about said ngafxed shoe and aocooperatingfshoe, movable y vbetween an open...A and. closed' vfposition. relative thereto;spaced4 pairs of ,cam followers- Aearied-by v.the ,supporting.structureren movements g-positionsto operativwpositions, a pair of relaftively, Astationary.` cams mounted adj acent. said track,andspacedi apart in'. the direction; thereof,

-saidmcams being; elongated. generally; in the di- ...Meach-L other, each-thereof lyingin the pathv of -trave1.of. a diierent. pair yof said .cam followers whereby;to.. intercept and movesaid cam fol- ::lowers:frominoperative to operative positions,

.,thefcam followers of eacnpair being spaced apart inzthe direction oftravel ofsaidsupporting strucure a distance. less than-.tbe` length of. its co- .i .v.operating... cam, fluil z `pressure-operated. means .3 1 l mounted on: said. supporting structure. for movengagementwith said -relativelvxedvshoa a .c0ntro1:..yalve.. fon.-.said.. uid; f. pressure-operated .-smeans a fluid .pressure motor .for operating Vsaid n.control, valve, ...valve means controlling .operation .-.,of.saidmotor, and .operatingmechanism for said 4J lerative positionsiand movableout off.said. ..1atchn ngi structure smountedi and. guided for travelling opting structure, ,Asaid. garment-immer= .compriswith respect thereto from normalfinoperative ufing saidmovableshoetd and awayfrom-pressing.

16 .cam,.followers...with `sai ;l..valv.e meansf, .said .operatinglmechanism beingmesponsive. tog-coinci- ...dent camfimpartedmoyements ofT .botheam .fol- .lowers of.one of .said pairs, but toneither thereof 5. ,.singularly,to causesaid fluid pressurefoperated means to movesaid. relatively.movableshoeinto pressing engagement with..` said relatively. -fixed ....shoe, .said -operating .mechanism beingl -further responsive to..coincident. camfimpartedmmovel0.. ments o`f..both cam followers ofv the. other of said pairsv, but to neither.thereofsingularlm to cause .,saidvluid .pressuregoperated means to move Lsaid ...relatively rlxedslloe..away-v from pressing engage- Mment Withsaid relativelyxed shoe. l... ..21;..In..an ironing. .machine of...thej...c1ass. de-

.;scribecl, anendless track a. supporting .structure -..mounted and guided fore-travelling; ,movements about.. said endless track, drivingg-mechanisxnior impartngmovements to saidsupporting struc- 20. ;ture. about. said .t1ack,.a normallynpen garment ironer. mounted .on said supporting structure and comprising cooperating. .pressing shoes. mounted 1.....for..r.e1ativ.e. movement` between a. normally. open 1 .-position .ar1d` a,. closedposition,...relatively,stationary. actuating .means mounted adjacent. the A..tracl:, .rst and. secondv relatively. movable ac- .tuated members. .carried by. the supporting, struc- .ture..for .movements .with respect thereto.. from normal..inoperativefpositions/ to operativepositions, said actuated members being located. to be interceptedandmoved bythe vactuating means from. inoperative tof operativepositionsan ironei` ...shoe operating mechanism. mounted. on.. the vsupporting structure, said operating mechanism comprising saidactuatedmembers and. beingre- Ysponsive only. to coincidental.. actuated.. .movement ofy said actuated-members for closingthe i... .-ironen J OHN H. .LEER

1 REFERENCES :.cITED -The following references are ofvrecord in. the :,le of thisv patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS VName Date Davis..V j.. Oct. 7,. 1930 .Number 

